Saturday, January 30, 2016

Today I want to share a card I made. Valentine's Day is right around the corner, but this style could be used for any time.

I used the Heart Background from Die - Versions and cut a solid pink layer behind. I then took a scrap piece of paper with Brutus Monroe wagon ink and a blender tool. I wanted the edges to have the bold edged look. I then took You are a Sweetheart stamp from the Simon Says Stamp Hello, Beautiful and embossed that in scarlet from Brutus Monroe. Adding some red/white twine and a few sequins from Craftin Desert Divas Sweetness mix.

I then placed foam squares on the back of my scrap piece of paper for some dimension.. Added some kraft paper to the background and poof a perfect card!

Friday, January 29, 2016

The moment I saw the Dandee stamp from Penny Black I just knew that I needed it.

Start off with your cardstock and using distress ink slowly (working from your mat to your cardstock), make circles to make a blended look. I chose the Dusty Concord for the color.

I wanted a background look so using the Unity Stamp Company handwritten stamp.. Stamp this several times. I stamped this by hand not suing much pressure. I used the same dusty concord to ink the stamp and lightly make the impression on your card stock. I didn't want this a heavy stamp, just a light background.

Take your Dandee stamp and place this where you'd like. This is a larger stamp so the card base would need to be a larger size.

I then took my Fancy stitched frames from Craftin Desert Divas and cut the oval. Colored this with the Dusty Concord and stamped 'miss you' from the Altenew Painted Greetings collection.

For the finishing touch I took my gold shimmer spray and gave it a mist. It is a gorgeous shimmer that can not be seen in a photo.

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Today I want to share an idea I had brewing in my mind. Using a glass block and Heartfelt Creations I created this masterpiece 3d decoration. Pictures do NOT capture the true beauty. It is stunning in person. Warning this is photo heavy!

Products Used:

Enchanted Mum Bouquet stamp

Enchanted Mum Bouquet die

Enchanted Mum stamp

Enchanted Mum die

Enchanted Mum paper collection

Glass Block

Tulle

Mod Podge

Brilliance Pearlescent Orchid

Brilliance Pearlescent Lime

From the Enchanted Mum paper collection choose what pattern
you will want for the background.You
will want to do this part first as it needs to dry.Measure the back of your glass block and cut
the same size from your paper.I chose
to attach the paper with mod podge.You
will need ample time for this to dry if you choose this route.I am sure you could hot glue, but I wanted it
flush with the glass block.Paint a
layer of mod podge on your glass block and lay your paper.Smooth this out entirely working any and all
air bubbles out.Once that is semi dry
apply a layer of mod podge and allow this to sit until completely dry.I did this before I went to bed and it was
dry for the next day.

Take the Enchanted Mum Bouquet stamp the flower with the
stem and leaves (We will use one on the inside) .Stamp three times the stems with the dragon
flies (we will use this on the outside and two on the top).Cut out all stamped imaged with the Enchanted
Mum Bouquet die.Color as you choose
matching the paper you chose for the background.

For some added dimension we are going to use the Enchanted
Mum stamp set and stamp/cut a total of 4 sets.We will place a Mum on the outside.. inside and two on the top of the
glass block.You will have some
dragonflies left over or you can use them all as you choose.We need some for the front, side and top.

Color all of the pieces in any color you choose.For this glass block to color I used the
small dabber and brilliance chalk ink for the sparkle.After you have it all colored shape the
flowers and give the dragonflies some shape as well.

First we will do the inside of the block so we can seal it
up and move on.Attach a Mum to the Mum
Bouquet and gently place that into the glass block using your favorite
glue.You will want to choose glue that
has a spectacular hold.As I was placing
it in, I usedmy shaping tool to help
hold it to the glass while it dried.I
then put some dragon flies on the other corner.

Place the top on the glass block.Add some tulle (this is totally
optional).Place a stem with dragon
flies on each side of the tulle and glue down.Place a Mum relatively close to the tulle.Add dragon flies to your liking.

Place the frontleft
place a stem with dragon flies in the lower left corner.And then place a Mum over that stem .Add dragon flies to your liking again.

Today I want to showcase the Heart Pops from the Whispers collection (Die-Versions)!

I had a few different ideas in my mind for the die. I cut many different colors and ended up with this perfect match.

I put my solid base down in red and in another cut I did pink. I knew I only wanted the word 'love' to accent for my top layer. I cut the word love from the center balloon and glued it down. It made the perfect look for what I wanted. I topped it off with Spectrum Noir sparkle pen in pink. I took my clear glitter pen and added a few more strokes of glitter. A picture can not really pick up the true beautifulness of a glitter pen, but in person it looks stunning. I love you stamp is from Virginia Turtle. Other dies used are Avery Elle Wonky Stitches, MFT double circle die.

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Today I wanted to share a card I fell in love with. I always joke PURPLE everything, but purple and gold make the most beautiful combo ever!!

Using the Sun Kissed Fleur Border & Corner (from Heartfelt Creations) stamped with distress embossing ink.. I took my gold embossing powder and then the magic formed. Wowza does it look beautiful. I did a corner stamp on each side. I then I took my card and Dusty Concord distress ink and inked up mostly the outsides making it lighter towards the center.

I adore butterflies, so I took the Botanical Wings stamp set out to make my butterfly. Using the clear embossing and gold powder she took form. Then I took my dabber and dusty concord and made near the body a darker purple.. fading to a lighter purple. I put a little glossy accents on the body to make it shine.

I then took my stamp set from Altenew Painted Greetings (brand new release) and stamped thinking of you.

Adding a few sequins made this card one of my all time favorites. It is so gorgeous in person.

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope this has inspired you to be crafty!

~Kara

This card is entered into the challenge:Sparkle N Sprinkle - Anything Goes

Friday, January 22, 2016

Today I wanted to show you a card I made using the splatter technique for my background. I took my Dylusions Paint and several card bases and splattered away in several different colors.. This is one of my favorite looks and I couldn't go wrong with several made up. I love the Tim Holtz flicker tool for my flickering. There is non control on where and how much goes in one place.. so know you lose control when flickering.

I decided on the pink background so I took my Stacked Heart die from Simon Says Stamp and cut pink. I was careful not to lose my hearts from the die cut.. I wasn't sure how many I wanted to place back in the die cut.

I tried a few different backgrounds for my stacked hearts and decided on the stitched squares from My Favorite things. I had to trim off a few hearts to make it fit perfect.

I then took the stamp set Distress Patterns from My Favorite things. Embossing in white from Hero Arts and had the perfect strip to accent.

I used only one heart as a fill in on my die cut and then I placed one in the bottom right. I wanted some sort of sentiment on the card, but after looking at it I thought it might ruin the beauty. I left it be!

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Did you just complete your FUN Color Run experience and want to display it in a fun way?? If so, you only need to gather a few items.

A shadow box. I purchased mine at AC Moore ($10)

Push Pins or Straight Pins (I wanted mine to match so I purchased colored straight pins) You could also use what you have on hand

All of your memorabilia (If you want to display pictures be sure to have these printed out.

I laid out all of my items and placed them where I thought they'd look nice. I rearranged a few times and also I had misplaced my bracelet so I had to leave a spot for that (Eventually it turned up). My selfie photo is horrible, but I had just been blasted with color and took the selfie. LOL

If you'd like to use your tutu to display.. unfortunately you will be cutting it. Only use the tutu if you don't want to use it again.. I had washed mine on a low setting after the FUN so mine was not reusable.

After I had everything in place I took my straight pins and started to pin away. One thing from scrapbooking I learned to keep anything I do.. You never know when you'll want to create a memento with those items.. maps from where you traveled.. programs from your kids play.. If you go somewhere special. save the receipt .. A concert.. save the ticket! Anything and everything I save!! Save it so you can create a memento long after the moment has passed.

Maybe you want to do a Color Run near you?!?!?! Do IT!! It's not like a 'serious' 5k. Now you can be serious about it, but it is more the have fun kind of 5k. Gather some girlfriends and go have fun!! You won't regret it. P.S. if you are taking your cell phone, be SURE to have it in a plastic bag.. it will get ruined by color :)

Sunday, January 17, 2016

I have been trying to get organized enough to participate in some card challenges. Some of these challenges you need a specific layout, some you need specific colors. For this challenge you could only use the colors you see... Turquoise, Orange, Pink and White. I made a few cards for this challenge and I will share one with you today.

I LOVE to play with my Dylusions Paint from Ranger. To play in paint is so freeing! Where ever it lands.. it lands! I had just received my splatter brush made by Tim Holtz (I purchased from Blitsy.. Blisty is my online crafting obsession.. LOL You can save $10 on your first order by using this link. Once you sign up.. you have to complete your purchase within 24 hours for the $10. http://blitsy.com/ref/gz0g7j)

With the splatter tool I randomly flicked paint .. As you can see there is not much control over the matter. I ended up with a large orange blob, but I did not want to mess it up by scraping it off in case I wanted to use that side.

I then took my Pocket Pieces Hello die set from Craftin Desert Divas and cut out the 3 coordinating colors. Once I had these cut out I pondered for a bit what I'd do with them.. left alone and bare looked horrible.. I tried some sequins.. and finally it dawned on me to use my white paint and platter as well. I had already stamped my sentiment, so I took a small piece of paper and covered the sentiment. It is easiest to place whatever you are painting in a box.. this way when it 'splats' it won't ruin anything.

Once I had all of this splattered, I let it set over night to dry.

The sentiment and my die cut 'friend' is from My Creative Time. I just love the friendship set.. So many possibilities..

The final card turned out miraculous .. it is so eye catching that I can not wait to get it mailed to my girlfriend.. I ended up covering that large orange blob I had, but I'm glad I left it there because I wasn't sure. For the friend die cut.. I took my 3 stamp pads and went directly to the letters.. I ended up putting 2 coats on.

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Have you ever lost sleep thinking about an idea brewing in your mind?? I couldn't stop thinking about a double layer shaker card. When I say I'm obsessed with shakers.. it's not joke.

As I was thinking about what to make my shaker from.. I instantly thought of the word art stamps from Craftin Desert Divas. These word art stamps make the most PERFECT shaker cards.

I knew this would be my top layer so I created the shaker portion using the Pocket Pieces die from Craftin Desert Divas . I need someone to create THICK foam LOL.. For this layer I just used foam to die cut for my height. I quickly colored in the darling images with my Spectrum Noir and formed the top layer with some heart sequins I purchased from AliExpress.

Now to the bottom layer. I took my double stitched dies from My Favorite Things and cut foam as well. For my shaker cards I like height to my shakers.. I want everything to shake.. not be stuck.. I use a little of everything and some of the beads I use have too much height to them for a single layer of foam. I cut foam for a layer of height and then I used actual foam tape for another layer.

Having a top layer to my card I figured the bottom layer needed some kind of stability to hold up that top layer. The die I used for the top layer I cut some more foam. When I was forming my bottom layer it ended up being backwards.. Normally I fill the window part of my shaker first. Because I put the foam down for stability.. I had to place my shaker elements on my flat card and then lay my window over top. I had to work slow because I didn't want my beads to roll everywhere. I glued some sequins on the outside of my window because I for got to do so on the inside.. I actually like them on the outside better!

I then pieced it all together and super gorgeous.. it turned out!!

And that's a wrap for my double layer shaker card! I am glad I lost sleep over it.. it turned out fabulous. I hope this has sparked some creative juices flowing. Happy Crafting~Kara

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Today I wanted to showcase a card I made using my favorite style.. shaker card!! Shaker cards are so fun and interactive. They have such a look that I love.

I started out knowing I wanted to use my stamp from So Suzy Stamps - Snowflakes are winter's butterflies. I just love this sentiment. I'm not a lover of snow, so to think of it this way puts my mind in a different thought pattern.

I also knew I wanted a shaker element to my card. I decided to use my Wonky Frame from Avery Elle to make my 'window' . It's a solid cut so I had to also cut the inside with a die from MFT Stamps blueprints.

I added my transparency film to the frame .. I also opted for two layers of foam. The shaker cards I have been making do not shake as much as I'd like.. So adding another layer made it perfect. Everything shakes just as I want. On the base of the shaker I stamped and embossed the sentiment from So Suzy. I then embossed it in pink. I learned a little trick from Jennifer McGuire and that is to glue a few of your shaker elements to the background.. that way it looks like it's floating. I like this look so thank you Jennifer for that tip.

I wanted to use the digital stamp from Craftin Desert Divas so I colored this adorable Angel Bear and glued him to my project. He adds the perfect touch to my shaker.

I made my own enamel dots from perler beads, so I placed one in each corner. And just like that this adorable card took shape.

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope this has inspired you to be creative and go craft!

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

I can not be the only one obsessed with Shaker Cards.. RIGHT?? Shaker everything!! Every week Craftin Desert Divas graciously gives a freebie digital stamp. This bear is adorbs.. When I first laid eyes on her, I knew somehow I could shaker her heart up. LOL!

I printed out the image and got to coloring. I then took my exacto knife and carefully cut the outline of the heart image. I then took my black spectrum noir marker and traced where I had just cut for a more finished look. I then stamped love you from the Avery Elle set Hogs and Kisses. Filling in the heart with a few sequins and beads and then sealing it up with craft foam.

I then took the C-U die from MFT Stamps and did two different patterns to make it pop. Adding a few sequins to the die cut made it PERFECT!

This turned out super duper cute and I hope this inspired you to be crafty and create!

Sunday, January 3, 2016

Life can change in the blink of an eye. My friend from school was in a horrible car accident with her family. She was in ICU for a few days and was not allowed flowers.. etc.. So I had in my mind to make a flower card.

Luckily, she is a fighter and no longer in ICU, but I will still be giving her this card in hopes it can bring a smile to her.

I LOVE box cards.. What I didn't love about them is the long labor it took to mark, measure, cut, score.. On Black Friday The Stamps of Life had a NEW die set over half off for the sale and I JUMPED!! It's a box card die! How genius .. it does all the world for you!! Cuts and scores and all you need to do is fold and assemble one little piece!! Easy Peasy!!!

I chose to use the flowers that come with the die set. There are TONS of dies that come in this and will get so much use out of this purchase. The possibilities are endless with box cards. They can lay flat to mail as well.

Close up of the center portion of the box card

The back of the card. You can leave these blank or decorate as you wish.

Thank so much for stopping by! I hope that you were inspired to craft from my post.